Low Testosterone (Low T)

Testosterone is the male hormone that is responsible for development the testes during puberty and contributes to male attributes such as facial hair and a deepened voice, while affecting a man's libido and even his mood.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone (Low-T)

After the age of 30, a man's testosterone levels naturally begin to decrease. For some patients, it may be much earlier. This regression is usually gradual and spread out over the rest of his life. In some cases though, the levels drop rapidly, which leads to a host of symptoms. Some of these may include:

Reduced sexual desire

Poor mood

Less energy

Chronic fatigue

Irritability

Osteoporosis

Metabolic syndrome

Anemia

Loss of bone density or possibly height

Poor strength or less muscle mass

Weaker erections

Obesity, type 2 diabetes, or problems with your thyroid

Less semen during ejaculation

Testicle shrinkage or numbness in the testicles

Erectile dysfunction

Causes for Low-T

Low testosterone can occur due to a number of reasons:

Undescended testicles

Congenital abnormality

Injury to the testicles

Medications

Cancer treatments

Environmental toxicity

Poor sleep

Aging

History of mumps infection

Genetic conditions

Sedentary lifestyle

When low testosterone is a result of a condition in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, doctors may look for the following potential causes:

Low-T: Testing and Treatment

The first test your doctor will likely perform is a check to determine where your testosterone levels are. In some cases, they may already be dangerously low before any of the more serious symptoms have become apparent.